Utah State Slips Past Softball

Wednesday, April 13

Salt Lake City, Utah

3:00 PM

University of Utah

Utah State

4/13/2005 12:00 AM | Softball

April 13, 2005

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah softball team doubled-up Utah State in hits this afternoon but came up short in the one stat column that matters, falling to the Aggies here today, 6-1.

The Aggies (11-23 overall) banged out six runs in the first two innings, all on a meager three hits on the day. Utah, which tallied seven hits on the day, slips to 12-20 for the season.

It was the effort of relief pitcher Lindsie Nielsen that was the highlight of the afternoon for Utah. The right-hander came in and fanned six batters to only one walk. She didn't allow a hit in five complete innings of work.

Brianna Gourdin got the nod for the Utes and was chased off after two innings of work. She scattered all three hits and surrendered five earned runs in taking the loss. She also struck out four Aggies to only three walks.

The Utes didn't tally a hit until the fourth inning on a one-out double by Diana Phillips. She extends her hitting streak to six games in going 1-for-3 at the plate today. Six other Utes tallied a hit on the afternoon. The only other extra-base hit went to Ivette Hernandez who belted an RBI double in going 1-for-3 as well.

The Aggies chalked up six runs in the first two innings, the most damage coming off of a bases-loaded doubled by Quela Leonhardt in the second. Her shot cleared the bases and made it 6-0 for the visitors. Leonhardt was 2-for-4 on the day and had three of the team's five RBI.

Utah didn't get on the board until the sixth inning. Hernandez' two-out double off the fence in right-center allowed Jackie Wong to score easily from first.

The home team had a chance in its final at bat to cut into the five-run lead. Utah had the bases loaded with two down in the seventh. However, USU hurler Leslie Higley got Wong to hit into a fielders' choice to end the game.

Utah returns to action again on Friday, April 15. The Utes host Cal-Riverside in a single, nonconference game. First pitch at Ute Softball Field is set for 3 p.m.